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Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect both men and women. It is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, type 1 and type 2. Herpes is passed between people having vaginal, oral or anal sex without protection, or sharing unclean sex toys. There is no cure, but outbreaks can become less severe over time and there are medicines are available to ease the symptoms.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes, also referred to as just herpes, is a type of STI. It is caused by a virus, called the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV). Herpes Simplex comes in two different forms; HSV1 and HSV 2. Both types infect what is called the mucous membranes of the body, so a place that has a moist lining, such as your mouth or genitals. The seriousness of the outbreak does not vary depending on the type you contract, and neither does how it looks. Both types are also highly contagious and are spread by an infected person having unprotected sex, whether than be oral, vaginal or anal with another person. A cold sore touching either a male or a female’s genitals can also spread the virus. The sharing of unclean or unprotected sex toys can also spread Herpes Simplex, as can a finger carrying the infection touching the genitals.

It is important to realise you can still catch the virus if there are no visible blisters or sores. This is because once you have the virus, it lives in your body permanently and becomes a life-long condition. In most people, it will reoccur around five times in the first two years after infection and then reoccur less frequently from then onwards. In some people, symptoms may not appear from months or even years after the first infection.

Common Signs of Genital Herpes Infection in Men and Women

There are two types of outbreaks; the primary infection and the recurrent infection. A primary infection only happens once, the very first time your infection presents itself. This outbreak can last from a few days to 20 days. Symptoms of recurrent infection are often much shorter and less severe because the body is already primed to attack the infection. All other outbreaks after this are called recurrent infections.

Primary infection symptoms may include:

-Blisters that are small, and eventually burst, leaving open, red sores. These blisters may form on your genitals, rectum, bottom and thighs. Once they have healed and scabbed over, these blisters do not leave scars.

-Pain when urinating

-Flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains

-Unusual vaginal discharge (women only)

-Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (women only)

Recurrent infection symptoms may include:

- The same type of blisters

- Before blisters, a strange sensation around your genitals or legs that feels like itching, burning or tingling

-Blisters and ulcers on the cervix (women only)

Some herpes symptoms occur less frequently and less severely over time.

Getting A Genital Herpes Test

Genital herpes does not always present itself as soon as you become infected. In fact, around 80% of people do not know they carry the virus until primary infection, because at first there may be no, or few, symptoms. If you develop blisters or sores, you should get tested immediately. A herpes test could be done by a swab (cotton bud) taking fluid from the blister. If you don’t have any blisters, a blood test can be done. Some doctors will also be able to diagnose you just by looking at your blisters. Knowing if you have genital herpes will prevent you from spreading the virus to other sexual partners.

Genital Herpes Treatment

Valacyclovir tablets, which can also be spelt Valaciclovir, can be used for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, as can Aciclovir tablets, which can also be spelt Acyclovir. These are antiviral drugs that slow down the spread of the virus to other parts of the body. They also treat the main symptoms of herpes. No medicine can cure the Herpes Simplex virus permanently.

Genital Herpes Treatment Length

Valacyclovir tablets are a standard dosage of 500mg. These should be taken either once or twice each day, depending on your doctors’ instructions. This medicine can reduce your symptoms in as little as three days, but the exact amount of time you will need to take medicine for depends on your personalised prescription from a doctor.

Aciclovir tablets from Medicine Direct are 400mg. 200mgs of this medication must be taken five times a day, in four-hour intervals. You may need to take medication over more days if your condition does not improve. Alternatively, you may be prescribed a stronger dose of 400mg at each interval. The usual treatment length is five days, but if your condition does not improve this may need extending.

What Medicine Direct can offer for Genital Herpes

Medicine Direct can prescribe you with a course of tablets to help control the symptoms of herpes. We have currently have two types of online herpes treatments available, which both slow the spreading of the virus to other parts of the body and relieve symptoms. We offer free delivery and discreet packaging, as well as a next day option so you can start treatment without delay.

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